Thursday, 3 November 2011

Support for the Right cause

Eve-Teaser??

On 20th October, six young people in Bombay, Andheri had dinner and stepped out for paan
at 11 pm. A drunk man, Jitendra Rana, attempted to ‘eve tease’
(sexually harass) one of the women in the group, her boyfriend pushed
this ‘eve teaser’ away. Rana left threatening to return. He returned
with a violent mob of 13 men and stabbed Keenan Santos (24), Reuben
Fernandez (29)

The youngster who was killed in a Mumbai scuffle over eve-teasing. Within
hours, he turned into an icon against sexual harassment. Keenan Santos’ story
now floods the internet with bloggers citing this case as a weapon against the
harassment that women are subjected to on the streets. Pages and open groups
have cropped up with his name on Facebook. The movement now echoes phrases like
“I stand for the bravery of people in Mumbai, across India and around the world
taking a stand against street harassment — whether it’s to the perpetrators
face, in a conversation with friends or in a story to a Hollaback site. I stand
for Keenan Santos.” An AamJanta blog post also reminds everyone, “Keenan Santos
could be you.” Keenan was attacked by the accused Rana, a barber, who allegedly
made sexual advances towards Keenan’s girlfriend

Mumbai: 19-year-old Priyanka Fernandes
speaks about her horrifying ordeal on October 20, when she lost her boyfriend
Keenan Santos and friend Reuben Fernandes, who stood up to some local goons who
were harassing the girls in their group.

It was one of our regular evenings out, with our regular group of inseparable
friends, at our regular rendezvous, just a short walk away from our homes. How
could the most commonplace evening out end in such a tragedy, costing me two of
my most loved friends? The fateful night of October 20 is branded in my memory,
as it was then that I learnt of the ruthless ways of this world, where those
who raise their voice against injustice and depravity have to pay for their
creed with their lives.

Like most other city girls my age, I was enjoying the company of my friends,
blissfully oblivious to the horrors that awaited us. I remember that it was
about 10:30 pm, and the stretch outside Amboli Bar and Kitchen, where we had
dined, was bustling with life. The nearby cafe, a regular haunt for local
youth, was doing brisk business, and the doors to a political party's office,
to our right, were wide open.

After dinner, we were taking a leisurely stroll, and had stopped for paan, when
disaster struck. The goons who had harassed us a while ago returned with their
cronies, who brandished weapons. They started brutally assaulting the guys in
our group.

Screamed for help
When my friends Keenan and Reuben were being stabbed repeatedly, mercilessly, I
could see at least 50 eyewitnesses, who stood like stone, unmoving and unmoved,
as we screamed for help. Not one came forward to join the fray, to help us
fight against a reprehensible crime.

I am proud of my friends. They did not stand by and tolerate the brazen
disrespect that our assailants displayed for women. They took the blows,
uncomplainingly. I am equally disappointed with God's own people, who turned
away, afraid that they would have to bear the brunt of a fight that was not
theirs. They knew that we were fighting injustice.

Unearthly hour
10:30 pm is not an unearthly hour. There are girls in this city who work in
BPOs, and return to their homes in the wee hours of the morning, when the
streets are deserted. What will happen to them? Who will fight for them? Will
they be slaughtered too, for offering to help? Should no one stand up to
protest what is wrong?

Grateful
I am grateful to the many people who have shown solidarity and support in our
hours of grief. But I fail to comprehend certain things. We dined at the
restaurant every week, we walked those very streets every day. But none of the
restaurant employees, and not one of the local security guards came forward to
help us, even though they knew us well.

When the goons came back for us, Keenan pushed me into the restaurant, and
fought for my honour. He took the blows till he dropped. All the while, I kept
dialing 100 on my phone, to seek help from the cops. Even when Keenan
collapsed, I was still on hold. No one answered my call.

I rushed to his side. He tried to speak, but lost consciousness. His abdomen
had been torn apart. We had planned our entire future together. He was building
the foundations of our life together, and was about to embark to Dubai to work
as a bartender. But those hopes and dreams have lost all meaning, just because
some men insisted on having their way with us, and couldn't stomach the slap
that they received in return. The only response they knew was of violence, so
they came back with 17 other men, who brandished knives, bamboos and daggers to
avenge their leaders.

The other two girls who accompanied me that night are too afraid to speak about
their harrowing experience. Our lives have come to a screeching halt, and our
families are still reeling from the shock. Initially, I was afraid as well. But
now I have decided not to surrender to fear. I'll be strong and fearless, as
that is the legacy left behind by Keenan. In all our four years together, I saw
him spread joy, help the elderly and respect women.

I would always go about saying boldly that a few untoward incidents should not
prevent girls from enjoying themselves. Even today, I stand by what I said. But
I hope that men in the city will learn from Keenan's fearlessness, and not turn
a blind eye to such situations. These goons think that they always have it
their way. We should change their ideas.

Please like the campaign for reuben fernandes and Keenan Santos in Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Campaign-for-Rueben-Fernandes-and-Keenan-Santos/293425597348649

To all in reading,

This communication is in solidarity to Keenan Santos
& Reuben Fernandes ; the two victims who were murdered when they protested
and tried to secure their friends against eve teasing.

WHAT IS EVE TEASING????

It amounts to misbehaving with girls and outraging their
modesty; in many instances has lead to rape and also permanent mental
distortion in girls and their families.

WELL! NOW THE QUESTION IS WHO ARE THESE GIRL VICTIMS?????

Definitely not Sheila Dixit (CM of Delhi, our rape
capital), Definitely not Sonia Gandhi with Z+ Security, Definitely not any one
who attained stardom and are always involved in spectrum scams and other
corrupt activities.

(God forbid; nothing bad should happen even to these
ladies)

These girls were, are and always would be from our
families, very much amongst us and in most cases from the lower income group of
the society who cannot afford to fight a court case.

Keenan Santos & Reuben Fernandes were two brave boys
who held their ground until their last to save their friends and were murdered
brutally for their good act.

STATE GOVERNMENT SAYS WE NEED TO GATHER SUPPORT OF AT
LEAST 200,000 VOTES TO CHANGE THE LAW AND SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE
VICTIMS..................WHAT A DEMOCRATIC JOKE???????

Once you login on your home PC, or visit a Cyber Cafe you
all can login through the below link and register your comments in support of
the victims.